Library funding

A couple of weeks ago, we sent you an urgent message to contact your State House Member about preserving the Public Library Fund by supporting the Governor’s proposal for library funding. In true library supporter fashion, you did just that! 

Nearly 6,000 emails were sent to our four House Members representing Lucas County. In addition, we hand-delivered 500 letters to our House Members written by patrons in our branches on why the library means so much to them and their families. 

As of Wednesday, April 9, the House has taken a final vote on the budget, which still eliminates the Public Library Fund as it currently stands and moves public library funding to a yearly appropriation. An appropriation is a much more vulnerable funding mechanism that can be easily eliminated in a single budget—unlike the Public Library Fund, which is written into Ohio law. 

Here are some key facts about Ohio public library funding today…

• In fiscal year 2024, the Public Library Fund, which accounts for just 1.7% of Ohio’s General Revenue Fund fell short of projections by $27 million ($489 million)
• If the economy performs well in fiscal year 2025, the Public Library Fund is estimated to yield $530 million. 

Here are some key facts on what the House proposed for Ohio public library funding in the future… 

• The House has advanced a budget where all 251 library systems will receive a share of $490 million in fiscal year 2026 and $500 million in fiscal year 2027. (source: Legislative Service Commission)
• By contrast, the Governor initially proposed increasing the Public Library Fund to 1.75% (a .05% increase) of Ohio’s General Revenue Fund, which, by estimation, would yield $531 million in fiscal year 2026 and $549 million in fiscal year 2027. 

This is complicated. We get it. What’s important is that the Public Library Fund has worked for 40 years to make Ohio’s public libraries the best in the nation. In a recent article from The Blade, Gov. Mike DeWine won applause as he urged continuation of public libraries’ dedicated fund that slices 1.7 percent off the top of all general tax revenues to send their way, something he proposed increasing to 1.75 percent in his plan.

The Public Library Fund is one of the best investments of public dollars, yielding $5 in community value for every $1 spent, and represents less than .005% of the state’s roughly $95 billion annual budget. 

As the budget now moves to the Ohio Senate, we will continue advocating that the Public Library Fund maintain its current standing in law and that the Governor’s proposal of 1.75% of Ohio’s General Revenue Fund be restored. We will be in touch soon to let you know the best ways to advocate for how your tax dollars come back to your communities and are invested in services that you, your family, friends, and neighbors enjoy.